Former Notre Dame and NBA Star Orlando Woolridge Passed Away at Age 52Orlando Woolridge, who was the Chicago Bulls first round pick in 1981 out of Notre Dame, passed away last night at the age of 52 . He had a chronic heart condition and died at his parent’s home in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Woolridge was a star for the Fighting Irish, playing on the team that went to the 1978 Final Four. He played for Chicago through the early Jordan years, averaging over 20 points in both 1984-1985 and 1985-1986. He was then traded to the Nets for two years, and was a reserve on the Showtime Lakers in 1989 when they were swept by the Pistons in the NBA Finals. He also played for Denver, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia
Woolridge is survived by his children, Zachary, Renaldo and Tiana; parents, Mattie and Larnceen; sister, Dr. Vanessa Woolridge Duplessis; brother-in-law, Darren Duplessis; and nephew, Nigel Duplessis.
NBA's 1st Slam Dunk participants in 1984 Top: Dominique Wilkins, Darrell "Dr. Dunkenstein" Griffith, Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Michael Cooper, Clyde Drexler. Seated: Edgar Jones, Larry Nance, Ralph Sampson, Orlando Woolridge.